Whether you’re a baseball cap aficionada, or just a casual wearer of the caps in general then chances are you’ve noticed that your favorite hat is starting to look a little shabby.
But whats the best way to clean a baseball cap without ruining the colors, warping its shape and keeping it looking clean?
This is the most important article to to help give your baseball cap a proper cleanse.
There are two ways to clean a ball cap: machine-washable and hand-washable.
The machine-washed option is for those who own their own washer and dryer; otherwise try the hand-washed approach.
With that being said, it’s essential to know how to clean a baseball cap the right way and without ruining it.
You don’t want to see your favorite cap fall apart in the process.
You need it for those hot beach days, summer hikes, and autumn gatherings.
How often should you clean a baseball cap?
That depends on how much you wear your hat.
If you’re using it only for the occasional stroll through the park, then don’t worry about a thing.
But if it’s part of your everyday outfit, then you should clean it every week or month, depending on its condition.
You should wash it at least three times a year to avoid buildup.
The method to use for washing your baseball cap will depend on its material.
For caps that are made from cotton, wool, and fleece, you should hand-wash it.
The plastic and nylon baseball caps can be put in the washing machine.
Another thing is the severity of the dirt and stains.
A little stain won’t do much harm, but the dark ones should be treated with care or the color will run.
General tips for washing a baseball cap
Always put the hat in a mesh bag or pillowcase before machine washing it to prevent abrasion damage.
Use the gentle cycle if you are worried about color running and damage from abrasion.
Choose cold water for dark colored garments and delicate, natural fabrics.
For mild stains, use a gentle cleaning method such as warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush to remove dust and dirt.
On the other hand, the more serious stains which are darker and dried-out should be wiped with rubbing alcohol.
After washing and drying, hang your hat on a hanger rather than place them directly on top of the rack.
This will make sure that no creases get formed on the felt and will also allow you to see if any stains have completely been removed.
Wash a hat with embroidery
For the hat that has a logo, embroidery, or other image on it, you should hand wash it to protect the embroidery.
If you can’t find a washing bag or pillowcase that you can use, then do it in a basin of hot soapy water and a mild detergent.
Do not use bleach because chlorine will ruin the image on your hat.
Drying is best done by hanging upside-down in a warm, well-ventilated area for at least two days and occasionally brushing or patting the felt with a soft, clean cloth to keep from getting it all wrinkly.
How to quickly to clean a baseball cap
Since there are different ways for washing a baseball cap, let’s take a look at the different steps and learn how to get rid of stains, remove odors, and make it look as fresh as new.
This method is most suitable for a hat that isn’t stained and doesn’t need a thorough cleaning.
Sometimes we just need to get rid of the dead bugs or food crumbs stuck in the cap and make it look presentable again before putting it away.
Here are the steps:
- To start, soak your hat in a basin of cool water that has a small amount of detergent mixed with it. Use a mild detergent or dishwashing liquid that won’t ruin the color of your cap.
- Let it soak for about 15-20 minutes. You may add 1-2 drops of detergent to the water to make sure that the dirt gets removed easily. The longer you let it sit, the better.
- After it’s soaked for a few minutes, remove it and proceed to rinse it well using cold water. Squeeze out any excess water but don’t wring it out. A lot of stains are water-soluble so you don’t have to use a lot of force when you’re rinsing because the detergent will help in the process.
- Use a clean towel to pat it and then hang it to dry. That’s all there is to it.
Hand-washing a baseball cap
For this, you will need a sink full of water, plenty of warm water, liquid laundry detergent or mild dish washing liquid and a toothbrush.
It’s particularly ideal for baseball caps that aren’t quite safe to put in the washing machine.
So how will you know whether it’s okay to put it in the machine or not?
The easiest way is to ask a professional.
If you don’t know who, then just ask someone who has one and see what they say.
- First off, soak the cap in the sink full of water with plenty of warm water in it. Make sure that you put a little bit of soap or detergent on the cap and rub it gently with your fingertips to create some suds.
- You can use cold or warm water for hand-washing the hat, depending on the condition of the stains and dirt.
- Soak it for about 5 minutes, swish it around to loosen up any dirt and grime, scrub it with a toothbrush to get rid of dried food, bugs and any other yucky stuff stuck in the fibers. Rinse thoroughly after you’re done scrubbing.
- You can gently squeeze to extrude excess water and then lay the cap on a clean towel and let it air dry.
Machine-washing a baseball cap
A great way to wash a baseball cap is to throw it in the washing machine.
This is suitable for caps that are made of synthetic materials like plastic and nylon, but not for those made from cotton or wool.
To avoid damage to the cap, you should put it in a mesh bag or pillowcase before putting it in a washing machine to prevent abrasion from the washing machine.
After all, baseball caps are rather fragile and can easily get worn out after several washes if proper care isn’t taken.
- Pre-treat stains and dirt with a cleaning product. To get rid of odors, you can use a small amount of an enzyme-based or citrus-scented product. Also, if you have oily stains, try adding a half cup of white vinegar to pre-treat the cap and make it more effective.
- You can wash the hat on its own or with other items in the machine. They should be like items such as lightweight pajamas and socks. This way, the cap won’t get wrinkled from being sandwiched between other items.
- Baseball caps are quite delicate and tend to get crushed and battered easily, so it’s always good to take care of them during washing. In general, run it in the delicate cycle to ensure that the bobble stays and the seams are not damaged by excess water and detergent. When machine-washing, use cold or cool water so that your cap doesn’t get damaged. For example, if you’re cleaning a very delicate baseball hat, use cold water to wash it and dry it instead of warm.
- To keep its shape after washing, opt to air dry in a on a balled-up clean towel as opposed to machine drying it. The warm, humid environment of the dryer makes it deteriorates very fast and can cause irreparable damage.
Spot cleaning a baseball cap
Spot cleaning basically involves cleaning a small area or stain on the cap.
It’s an effective method when you don’t want to keep exposing the hat to water and detergent and want to prevent it from getting wrecked.
Here’s how you can spot clean it:
- Firstly, identify the stain whether its grease, makeup or food. Once you’ve determined its nature, you should be able to pick a suitable stain treatment product. For most general stains, a little bit of liquid detergent or dish soap will do the trick.
- Apply the product on the stain and rub it gently with a soft cloth so that it gets absorbed. You can use a toothbrush to scrub the area if the stain is very stubborn. The best way to spot clean is to apply some of the soap or detergent to a cloth and then rub it gently on the cap until you see the results. Use circular motions.
- Once the stain is removed, rinse it off and use a dry towel to blot the moisture. If you’re going to air-dry it, then make sure that there isn’t any residue left or else it will cause the cap to discolor. Usually, you should be able to tell whether it’s clean or not just by looking at it.
How to clean a woolen baseball cap
Woolen caps are easy to clean.
In general, you can hand-wash it with a little bit of dish washing detergent or laundry detergent and mild soap.
Use cold water and make sure that you let it soak for about 5 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly.
For wool hats, take care not to twist it too tightly because the fibers can stretch out of shape and get damaged.
- Using soapy water, gently massage the cap with your fingers. Do not attempt to scrub it with a brush or a toothbrush as this can damage the fibers and make them lose their shape.
- After rinsing it thoroughly with cool water, gently press or pat using a clean towel to get rid of excess moisture.
- Woolen caps are quick to dry so you don’t have to give it too much time. Let it air dry on a head-shaped item as this will allow it to dry in a more uniform direction and maintain its shape better.
Final Thoughts
Baseball caps are very convenient and easy to wear and style.
Many people prefer them because they’re stylish, reasonably priced, and most of all, can be worn for sports or casual outings.
The key to keeping it looking new is cleaning it often.
All you have to do is wash it with the right amount of detergent or soap and water or have someone clean it for you at a dry cleaner’s.
If you wear your cap all the time, then it can get pretty dirty in no time at all.
So remember to wash it as often as possible and follow the directions above.
There are plenty of ways to wash a baseball cap, and if you want your cap to last longer, it’s a good idea to treat it well and clean regularly.
FAQs
Is it safe to wash a baseball cap in the washing machine?
Yes, it is safe to wash a baseball cap in a washing machine.
However, make sure that you take out the hat and put it in a mesh bag or pillowcase to prevent damage to the cap.
Also, make sure that you put in only the amount of detergent that your cap needs, and not to put a lot of detergent in the wash.
How do you clean a sweaty baseball cap?
You can wash the cap with a little bit of dish soap and warm water to remove the sweat.
Also, if your cap is stinky or dirty, try putting some white vinegar on it to loosen the grime.